Even the famously-deluded Comical Ali would struggle to put a positive spin on the Black Cats’ plight as they begin 2017.

On the basis of their abject display in Saturday's 4-1 loss at Burnley, they are doomed this time after five years of flirting with the drop.

Even manager David Moyes admitted it was “dire”.

It is hard to see how they can pull off another Houdini act this season.

Moyes also lost his top defender Lamine Kone, plus Jason Denayer and Victor Anichebe to take his injury list to a crippling nine.

Key defender Kone went off injured and is now set to leave on international duty (Image: Getty)

Even if he could patch up Kone, the centre-half heads to the Africa Cup of Nations this week.

Talisman Defoe, who took his league haul to nine with a consolation effort, could also be off with reported interest from former club West Ham.

Then there is Moyes’ transfer budget — or lack of it, to be more precise, with owner Ellis Short reluctant to hand over more cash.

Not exactly the ideal backdrop for facing title-chasing Liverpool on Monday at the Stadium of Light.

“We don’t have time to address it on the pitch,” admitted Moyes. “You’ve just got to turn it around. We need to see who’s fit and available, dust them down.

"It wasn’t organisation [at Turf Moor], it was nothing to do with being in the right positions. It was just poor ­individual decisions on the pitch.

Defoe's consolation goal could have been his last in Sunderland colours (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

“We’ve defended quite well recently, but I do think Lamine Kone going off was instrumental because he has a bit of pace and a bit of power and we missed that.”

This game could also prove to be a watershed moment for Burnley ’s Premier League existence.

They have given themselves a glorious chance to survive in the top flight for the first time since 1975.

Andre Gray’s first Premier League hat-trick lifted them nine points clear of 18th-placed Sunderland, and only Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham can beat the Clarets' 22 points at home in the first half of the season.

Striker Gray was still playing in the fifth tier as recently as April 2014 (Image: REUTERS)

“It’s a surreal feeling," said Gray. "Three years ago I was playing non-League with Luton, so it’s a massive, massive moment for me.

"I never would have dreamed of it. It proves anything’s possible.”

Gray looks the striker who scored 25 goals last season and was ­Championship Player of the Year, and admits a four-game ban imposed after a homophobic tweet resurfaced set him back.

“I was out for six weeks and that’s a pre-season,” said the 25-year-old. “You can do all the running you want, but it doesn’t compete with match sharpness. But I feel I’m back.”